CHAPTER 6 — "The Investigation That Destroyed Tessa's Perfect Image"
The apartment fell into complete silence.
The two investigators stepped inside, displaying their badges.
Neither looked at Wilma with suspicion.
Instead, one of them offered a respectful nod.
"Mrs. Tate, thank you for agreeing to meet with us."
Reid stared in confusion.
"You... know my mother?"
The senior investigator answered calmly.
"We've spoken with Mrs. Tate several times over the past six months."
Tessa's head snapped toward Wilma.
"You've been working with them?"
Wilma folded her hands in her lap.
"I've been answering questions truthfully."
The investigator opened one of the briefcases and removed a thick file.
"We're investigating financial fraud involving several corporate expense accounts."
He placed photographs across the coffee table.
Luxury handbags.
Designer jewelry.
Five-star resorts.
Private shopping trips.
Every receipt carried the same company credit card.
Reid frowned.
"Those are from my office..."
The investigator nodded.
"They are."
"But according to the accounting records..."
"The purchases weren't made by you."
Slowly...
Every eye turned toward Tessa.
She took one step backward.
"This is ridiculous."
"I had permission."
The investigator remained expressionless.
"We interviewed your husband's accounting department yesterday."
"No one gave you permission."
He slid another document across the table.
Security footage.
Clear as day.
Tessa walking into luxury boutiques with Reid's corporate card.
Another file followed.
Luxury vacations.
Spa retreats.
Furniture.
Even cosmetic procedures.
More than $780,000 in personal expenses over three years.
Reid felt sick.
"You told me those were business events..."
Tessa avoided his eyes.
"I was protecting our lifestyle."
"Our lifestyle?" Reid whispered.
"You lied to me."
The investigator continued.
"Mrs. Tate became involved because several unauthorized transfers eventually passed through family trust accounts."
Reid looked at his mother.
"You knew?"
Wilma nodded sadly.
"I noticed unusual withdrawals months ago."
"I hoped there was an innocent explanation."
"There wasn't."
Tessa finally exploded.
"This family owes me!"
"I spent years making Reid look successful!"
"I hosted dinners!"
"I entertained clients!"
"I deserved those things!"
Wilma looked at her with quiet pity.
"No, Tessa."
"You deserved honesty."
"You chose greed."
The room fell silent again.
The investigator closed the file.
"Mrs. Tate..."
"Thank you for your cooperation."
Then he looked directly at Tessa.
"We'll be requesting a formal interview tomorrow morning."
The door closed behind the investigators.
No one spoke.
For the first time since their marriage...
Reid looked at his wife...
May you like
As though he had never truly known her.
End of Chapter 6
"Some people don't lose everything because they're poor. They lose everything because they mistake greed for success."
